Slight Change of Plans

One of my elders got up this past Sunday to announce a slight change in plans for me and my family concerning our work here in Idabel. It became very evident the past couple of years that we were going to have to do something in order for our family of six to make ends meet. We don't have a lot of debt, no credit card debt, we aren't extravagant spenders. It's just costing more and more to raise 4 kids, especially with one starting to drive several months ago and another one about to in a couple of years, college on the way, etc. My wife got a job, not a well paying job, but a job, and it is almost killing us. I don't know how some families do it, with both parents working. The stress, the lack of family time together, the obligations of everyone having to be at different places at different times, I greatly respect those who can pull it off and still be a family.

Anyway, I have given up half my salary and will be contracting to build homes during the week to be able to make enough to support my family. The elders here have been very understanding and cooperative and want to make this work. I will still be able to preach, teach, counsel, visit the sick, etc., all those things that are expected of preachers. I will office out of the house, where I will be doing all my studying. I just won't be in the office during the week. Being self-employed will help me be able to get free in order to take care of any church business that might come up during the week. Our office will still be covered by our seniors minister, youth minister and secretary. It seems to me like a workable situation.

I ask for your prayers for me, my family, our church and the kingdom work that needs to be done in this community.

Here are some pics my son Tim did for his youth group and for us on a Sunday night devo. One is marker. One is spray paint. He is very gifted in drawing and wants to somehow use that gift to glorify God. I'm proud of him and his desire to honor the Father.